The Exhaustion of “Normal”
For most of my life, I worked incredibly hard to be “normal.” When people said, “But you don’t look like a person with a visual disability,” I used to take it as a compliment. I didn’t want to express how much longer tasks took me or how quickly my eyes fatigued when I didn’t use text-to-speech tools.
I’ve recently come to own a different truth: Different isn’t bad; it’s just okay. Embracing my identity as a person with a visual disability doesn’t mean I am “less than”. It means I am choosing to be honest about the reality of my body. In the Gospels, the people Jesus met didn’t always lead with their struggles, but their encounters with the Divine were holy because of their vulnerability. Acknowledging my blindness is a gift—it allows me to identify with others who struggle in a world not built for them, whether they live with autism, ADHD, or other disabilities.
The Tools of the Trade
In 2025, I reached a turning point. I realized that using a cane for the blind isn’t a sign of lack; it’s a tool for confidence. It keeps me safe and allows me to move through the world with the gifts God has provided. I don’t always lead with my disability, but I no longer hide the tools that help me serve.
When the visual world becomes too demanding, I find my “Sabbath” in auditory spaces. Whether it’s getting lost in an audiobook, a favorite show, or the world of music, I lean into the auditory. These are the moments where I don’t have to “try” so hard to see, and I can simply be.
How to Be a True Ally
If you want to be a true ally to people with visual disabilities, start by setting aside what you think you know from movies or TV. Don’t be afraid, but don’t be ignorant either. The most inclusive thing you can do is ask.
Try using this phrase: “If I was going to be the most helpful to you right now, what could I do?” This simple shift in heart-posture moves us away from “pity” and toward the “radical inclusion” that the Body of Christ is called to practice. It centers my agency rather than your assumptions.
A Future Beyond Polarization
The church still has a long way to go to truly incorporate people with disabilities. However, I am filled with hope when I see how Sacred Innovation is changing the landscape. Tools like AI, OrCam, and Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are game-changers for the low-vision community.
Even in a broken and polarized world, I remain “honestly hopeful”. I hope for a world that becomes more open, more accepting, and more intentional about including every kind of person. Our limitations aren’t barriers to God’s grace—they are often the very places where we discover it.
